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Vaishali B. Doolabh, M.D., F.A.C.S.
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Contemporary
Plastic Surgery |
4221
Southpoint Parkway
Jacksonville, Fl 32216 |
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| Breast
Lift (Mastopexy) |
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| Breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and
reshape sagging breasts—at least for a time. (No surgery can
permanently delay the effects of gravity.) Mastopexy can also reduce
the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. If
your breasts are small or have lost volume—for example, after
pregnancy—breast implants in conjunction with mastopexy can increase
both their firmness and their size. |
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The Best Candidates For A Breast Lift |
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| The best candidates for mastopexy are
healthy, emotionally-stable women who are realistic about what the
surgery can accomplish. The best results are usually achieved in
women with small, sagging breasts. Breasts of any size can be
lifted, but the results may not last as long in heavy breasts. |
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| Many women seek
mastopexy because pregnancy and nursing have left them with
stretched skin and less volume in their breasts. However, if you're
planning to have more children, it may be a good idea to postpone
your breast lift. While there are no special risks that affect
future pregnancies (for example, mastopexy usually doesn't interfere
with breast-feeding), pregnancy is likely to stretch your breasts
again and offset the results of the procedure. |
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The Breast Lift Procedure |
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Mastopexy usually takes one and a
half to three and a half hours. Techniques vary, but the
most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision
following the natural contour of the breast. The
incision outlines the area from which breast skin will
be removed and defines the new location for the nipple.
When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and
areola are moved to the higher position. The skin
surrounding the areola is then brought down and together
to reshape the breast. Stitches are usually located
around the areola, in a vertical line extending
downwards from the nipple area, and along the lower
crease of the breast.
Some patients, especially those with relatively small
breasts and minimal sagging, may be candidates for
modified procedures requiring less extensive incisions.
One such procedure is "vertical mastopexy", in which
incisions are made around the areola and a vertical
incision extends down the breast.
If you're having an implant inserted along with your
breast lift, it will be placed in a pocket directly
under the breast tissue, or deeper, under the muscle of
the chest wall.
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Testimonial |
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“You are such a wonderful and beautiful doctor.
I appreciate everything you’ve done. You’ve made
a scary situation easy and non-complicated. I
will recommend you to anyone who is considering
plastic surgery. Thanks for everything.” C.M. |
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After Your Breast Lift |
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After surgery, you'll
wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze
dressings. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and
uncomfortable for a day or two, but the pain shouldn't
be severe. Any discomfort you do feel can be relieved
with prescribed medications.
Within a few days, the bandages or surgical bra will be
replaced. You'll need to wear your sports bra around the
clock for six weeks, over a layer of gauze. The stitches
will be removed after a week or two.
If your breast skin is very dry following surgery, you
can apply a moisturizer several times a day. Be careful
not to tug at your skin in the process, and keep the
moisturizer away from the suture areas. You can expect
some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin,
caused by the swelling after surgery. This numbness
usually fades as the swelling subsides over the next six
weeks or so. In some patients, however, it may last a
year or more, and occasionally it may be permanent.
Getting Back to Normal
After Breast Lift Surgery
Healing is a gradual process. Although you may be up and
about in a day or two, don't plan on returning to work
for a week or more, depending on how you feel. And avoid
lifting anything over your head for three to four weeks.
If you have any unusual symptoms, don't hesitate to call
Dr. Doolabh .
You may be instructed to avoid sex and to avoid
strenuous sports for six weeks. After that, you can
resume these activities slowly. If you become pregnant,
the operation should not affect your ability to
breast-feed, since your milk ducts and nipples will be
left intact. |
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If you have any questions, or wish to schedule a consultation with Dr. Doolabh, please call Contemporary Plastic Surgery today at
904.854.4800. |
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